Phalaenopsis and I

      Although I have grown up with Phalaenopsis, not until last year had I begun thinking of doing business with Phalaenopsis.  Anyway, life is always full of surprises.  I am saying so because I have been dreaming of becoming a scholar since I was a little child.  In fact, I am now working on using the knowledge I have learned to do business.  i believe that I can do something different.

      In Taiwan, plum flower, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum are called the four gentlemen of flowers.  Among orchids, Phalaenopsis are called the Moth of orchids.  It is very gorgeous and elegant.  Thus, many people like to give pot Phalaenopsis as present to other they admire or appreciate.  I grew up with pot Phalaenopsis because every year on special holidays my dad receives pot Phalaenopsis from those who admire him.

      Under this circumstance, I have been surrounded by pot Phalaenopsis since I was little.  I like the beauty and the wild nature of Phalaenopsis.  It is somewhat like a cat, which is semi-domesticated.  It needs watering, but only some once a week in Taiwan, which has a subtropical oceanic climate.  Anyhow, Phalaenopsis is quite independent with its significant characters.  Maybe living with Phalaenopsis has made me an independent person!  I enjoy most of the time both alone and with others.  Certainly, I still have down moments, but I am trying my best living with those uncomfortable situations.

      Couple years ago I finally gave up becoming a full-time academic faculty in the university in Taiwan.  Simply speaking, I couldn't find my way being myself and doing well in such a twisted system.  I want to do the things I enjoy and make contribution to other people.  therefore, I began examining things around me that I like and which I think I can make a difference for myself and other people around.  After awhile, I finally put my eyes on the flower I grew up with.

      Phalaenopsis is one of the moderately commercialized agricultural product in Taiwan.  I am saying it is  only "moderately commercialized" because it is not yet industrialized and is far from systematized.  I started studying systems analysis since college in UC Davis.  I also studied operations research in business school in Taiwan.  Over these years, i continue studying systems thinking on my own.  I am sure that I can help Taiwan's Phalaenopsis industry become systematized and provide happiness to Phalaenopsis buyers around the world. 

Why Phalaenopsis

       Among the many reasons I chose to enter the international trade business, I have three major considerations.  One is something I have competitive advantages.  Another is product potential.  The third is social network.

      First of all, I want to do something in English.  By doing so, I'm quite confident that what I have learned and experienced in Davis California will help a lot.  I believe the art of doing business is actually earning trust.  Product is not the core.  Instead, the feelings provided are what determine the deal to be made or not.  I want to provide humanistic feelings to my potential clients.

      Secondly, I want to trade specialty crops such as orchid and tea.  Orchid and tea are characteristical Taiwanese agricultural products known worldwide.  Moreover, they have rich added value.  In fact, they are commodities which have total different pricing standards than other crops.  By adding meanings to them, they help people raise their living standards and tastes of life.  My history degree can help me deliver plenty meanings to my potential clients.

      Last but not least, social network is crucial to doing business.  This starts will collaborating with people known for a long time, especially family friends.  In fact, they need someone trustworthy to help them turnover to their children.  Their son is interested in sustaining their family business.  They have advance technology growing Phalaenopsis.  However, they lack a reliable person helping them reaching foreign corporate buyers directly.  By fate, I happen to be the person who can and is interested in working with them.  We are developing new relationship of two families.

      In short, I have many thoughts and things that I would like to bring into the international trade business.  I hope I can do them right and well.   

Doing business heading toward 2020

      In the mobile communication age, distribution of information is faster than ever.  I believe this means changes occur way faster than before.  Under these circumstances, we cannot do things the way we used to.  Obviously, we must find new ways doing business.

     First of all, as a Phalaenopsis grower advanced in research and development for a quarter century, now we have to confront things we are unfamiliar with.  For instance, we need to participate in international trade ourselves.  In the past, we let Taiwanese trade agents find foreign trade agents for us.  Now is the time for us to go abroad and find corporate buyers by ourselves.

     Secondly, as the sense of "social enterprise" spread continually, we shall do business not only for business.  In fact, our automated plant factory has provided about 40 job vacancies for local residents.  Job demand is still growing.  In the coming future, we hope that by exporting gorgeous Taiwanese Phalaenopsis worldwide, we can contribute our tourism.  We are happy to tour guide our potential buyers around Taiwan.

     Thirdly, besides the physical beauty of Phalaenopsis in cuts or pots, we hope that our customers can feel the spiritual beauty of Phalaenopsis.  It is the essence of Taiwanese culture ~ friendly, considerate, and tolerate.  After all, we hope that our customers and everyone who sees our orchids can feel our sincerity. 

      In the end, we hope to provide pleasant business and let everyone related feel our integrity.